Liverpool face problems trying to appeal Alexis Mac Allister red card

The weekend fixture between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth was one that took football fans and pundits by storm when new signing Alexis Mac Allister picked up a red card for a challenge on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie.

The sending off was one that sparked a debate on it being the right call upon the challenge’s review on camera.

The VAR team led by Paul Tierney played little role in getting the referee to overturn his decision, with the Argentine international forced to exit the pitch in obvious frustration.

Post-match, Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp was quizzed by the media during his post-match press conference about the incident, with the German hinting at the decision being appealed by the club.

It is now being reported that Liverpool are set to contest the Alexis Mac Allister red card under the appeal of ‘wrongful dismissal’ with the English Football Association, with the FA set to review the incident.

However the Reds are faced with a problem as there is a new rule that stands to complicate things for Liverpool over pressing for an appeal.

According to the ruling, an appeal for the review of a red card situation can lead to a further 4-match ban for a player if the appeal is denied by the FA after the incident’s review.

This law is to prevent ‘frivolous appeals’ that could be sent by clubs regarding a review of red card incidents.

But that notwithstanding, an appeal can also be dismissed without any punishment if there is a justification for the referee’s initial decision on pitch to be queried.

The Football Association is now set to review every evidence through its independent regulatory commission to determine whether to overturn the referee’s decision to cancel Alexis Mac Allister’s 3-match suspension following the red card.

Should the review come out negative for Liverpool and Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentine is set to miss fixtures against Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and possible a fourth match, depending on the verdict.